As with any investigation, you must keep track of what you have learned.
Use the information you find to fill in a pedigree chart also known as a family tree chart.
Click on the chart above and print it out.
How to fill out a 5-generation chart
Everything begins with the person on line #1
In the spaces that ask for a date it is best to write like this:
06 OCT 1903
When writing in the women's names be sure to use their maiden names.
A maiden name is a type of surname. A surname is just a fancy way of describing a last name. Your last name is probably the same as your father's last name. That would be your surname. But, chances are, your mom's last name was different before she married your father, that old surname is called her maiden name.
Once you have your pedigree chart filled out as completely as you can, you can see very quickly what information you are missing. Now it is time to:
A good detective always continues to "Do more research".